St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-04-18
unto him: Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that

unto him: Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that 1
love Thee
This is day of praise and thankfulness.
Pralse the Lord, oh my SOUL Praise Him, we
cnlldren; the day has come that we through
many months of instruction and prayer have
looked forward To. Your dear Father in
heaven has brought you so far that you to-
day. III the presence of His church, can con-
Tess your faith and confirm your baptis-
mai covenant. Praise Him We par
ents, relations, friends and spon-
sors of these children. They are
His gift. He has helped so far-you look back
To-day upon many an hour of care and
anxiety, you look forward with fear and
trembling, praise the Lord, this day Is
pie dye from Him, that He will help in the
future, as He has helped in the past-praise
the Lord, thou congregation; it is day or
joy and victory for you. You see it again
to-day that the Lord is working amongst us,
That there is an aftermath growing up to take
our places, growing into our faith and our
confession. The church of God is yet alive on
earth. Lowest thou me? 1t is q question
from person TO person, from heart 10 heart.
Who asks? Not an unknown, whose name you
near to-day for the first time; Jesus
Christ, your Lord, born in Bethlehem, who
suffered and died on the cross, rose from the
dead, stitch ut the right hand of God whom
you once shall see face TO face, who received
you in His arms in your baptism. What right
has He to ask? o remember! He asks for love?
He does not command. Love is not COM
manded; love flows freely from the heart and
Is only awakened by love. He has loved you
| first, given His life for you rs pledge of his
love, shown His love to you every day, 1t Is
heart full of love to you that asks. 1t is q
plain and simple question, and yet the Ques-
ton of all questions. Peter has lost his apoS-
tleshlp through his denial of Christ He snail
be reinstated, but his reinstatement as an
| apostle and disciple is dependent up on
tho answer to this question. To
be Il Christian, true Christianity,
genuine Christian life is to be able to answer
yes to this question. Is that so? Christian
ity only love to Christ? No question of
works, obedience, self-sacrifice? Love is not
merely feeling, it is giving ourselves
wholly to the loved one. And it is this the
Lord asks, if we will be wholly His, with body
and soul, with all our gifts and abilities, if
we will live for Him. Can you answer yes?
Does your heart trenble? Are you afraid to
| answer? He knows all, He knows you! What
does your heart answer? Does it say, o, that
! L could answer yes wholly and fully; how
long to love Him? Then answer yes with
Peter; if you fear for the weakness of your
love, his love is stronghold up to his love
and build your answer theron: you are not
sure that your love will not waver, but you
are sure that His love will never waver.
rake His love with you out into the world,
full of dangers and temptations; let Him ask
you this question every day, and His love
shall lead you and carry you home to God.
After an hours examination in the doc
trines of Christianity. the class stepped up
to the altar where the pastor asked each
| contirmant the following question: Do you
renOuncc the devil and all his works and
all his ways? Do you believe in God the
Father, Son and Holy Ghost? Is it your
purpose to remain in this faith until deathp
Having answered yes to each question, each
child gave the pastor his and her hand and
knelt down, while the pastor laid his hand
upon their heads, pronouncing prayer and
blessing. The church was packed, the
audience probably numbering 1900.